Switch box



Batented July 1, 1924. A

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HUBERT K. lKIR,.A'J.\I'.I.Z, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIQ & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORYORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH BOX.

Application led November 26, 1920. Serial No. 426,467.

One object of my invention is toprovide.y

a simple and inexpensive switch-actuating mechanism that will impart a snap action to the switch during opening movement.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch-actuating mechanism having the above characteristics that may be readily assembled and inspected and which may be used in controlling a switch shaft having any desired number of switch blades mounted thereon.

A further object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism wherein the switch is actuated by a cam of simple construction which is operated by means of an operating handle having a lost-motion connection therewith.

These and other objects that will be made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are attained by means of the apparatus hereinafter described .and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the switch box showing the switch mechanism in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the switch box taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the switch mechanism in end elevation, and f Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the switch-actuating mechanism shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes a housing 4 having a stationary cover portion 5 and a movable cover portion 6` that is attached to the side of the housing by means of a pair of hinges 7.

An insulating base 8 is secured to the bottom of the housing and supports a pair of brackets 9 that are disposed in spaced relation adjacent one end of the panel 8. Upon the outer edges of the brackets 9, an insuvtheir free ends,

lating terminal support 11 is mounted which carrles thereon a pair of terminals 12 that are-adapted to receive the live conductors of the electricalA circuit.

Contact members 13 are conductively connected to the terminals 12 `and are adapted to be engaged by the switch members 14 whlch are of the well-known brush type. The switch members 14 are mounted upon a switch shaft 15`which is supported for rotationupon the brackets 9. The innermost ends of the switch members 14 engage contact members 16 that are mounted upon the lnsulatlng base 8. The contact members 16 are connected to the load terminals 17 through fuse elements 18.

The switch members are normally held in open position indicated by the dotted lines 19, by means of leaf springs 21, which engage the inner faces of a pair of follower members 22 that are mounted upon the ends of the shaft 15 which outer faces of the supports of brackets 9. The followers are adapted to be biased to closed position by means of cam members 23 that are mounted for limited rotation on the ends of a rocking shaft 24 that is supported upon the brackets 9.

The cam members 23 are provided, at with rollers 25 that engage the cam surfaces 26 of the follower members 22. As shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the cam members23 are in a position wherein the project beyond the switch members 14 are held thereby in closed position. It will be seen that the rollers 25 at this time occupy a position tothe right of the line traversing the axes of the shafts 15 and 24 and that the displacement of the cam 23 toward the right is prevented by stop extensions 27 on the free ends` of the cam members, which engage the cam surfaces 26 of the follower members 22.

The cam members 23 are actuated by means of an operating handle-28 that extends into the housing throu h an opening 29 in the cover portion 5. is handle is provided with a cylindrical 'section' 31 that servesto close the opening 29, regardless of its position with respect to the. cover.

The handle is clamped by means of bolts 432 to the shaft 24 and serves to rock the shaft. A lost-motion connection is provided between the shaft 24 and the cam vided in the clip member 23 by means of the pins 33 that are secured to the shaft and which operate. in

notches 34 provided in the pivoted ends. of

tions illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1, the

the pin 33 engages the stop face' 36 and causes clockwise movement of the cam member 23 when the operating handle 28 is moved to the right or in a' clockwise direction.

The handle 28 is yieldingly retained in its extreme operative position by means of a pair of helical' compression springs 37 that are disposed on the shafts 38. These shafts are pivotally mounted in clevices 39 that are secured to the cover 5. The free ends of the shafts extend through perforations prof 41 that are secured to section 31 ofthe handle., The clips 41 are moved past the centerline traversing the axes of the shaft 24 and the pivot 42 in the clevis` during the opening movement of the handle and, consequently,` the springs 37 willyieldingly retain the handle in open position.

When the center of the cam wheel 25 passes the line. traversing the 'axes of the shafts 15 and 24, the springs 21 will force, with va snap action, the follower members 22 and the switch members 14 attached thereto to open position, indicated in. dotted lines in Fig. 1.

When the switch members have been moved to open position, the follower members 22 and the cam members 23 will occupy the positions indicated in full lines in Fig.

3, 'wherein the stop face 35 is in engagement with the pin 33. y

Movement of the operating handle in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the cam 23 to be turned in a similar direction, thereby causing the follower member. 22 to be returned to its original position illustrated in Fig. 1,-wherein the switch members are in closed position. The movement of tlie cam members 23 in counter-clockwise direction vis limited by means of )the st-op po`rtion`27 on the cam member.

It will be observed that a complete set of actuating elements is mounted on opposite sides of the brackets to exert equal effortat opposite ends of the switch shaft. By reason of this construction, any desired n-umber of switch members maybe mounted -upon the shaft 15 without causing undue rstrain on any of t-he mechanism.

The construction is such that the parts may bel easily assembled, and, because the parts are all assembled on the insulating base or panel 8, the entire apparatus may be "3- moved from the housing for the purpose of inspection or repair by simply detaching the base from the bottom of the housing.

lVhile I have described and illustrated but one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without depart' i ing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member pivoted for rotary movement, Ia follower carried by the switch member, a spring engaging the follower for normally holding the switch in open position, a cam member pivoted `adjacent the follower for actuating the follower and having a contact portion engaging therewith and movable past a line traversing the axes of rotation of the switch member and the cam member,

an operating member having a lost-motion connection to the cam member and movable to ope'n and -to closed positions, and means for yieldingly retaining the operating member in either of'said positions.

2. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member pivoted for rotary movement, a fol lower carried by the switch member,a cam member pivoted adjacent the follower and having a contact portion engaging'the follower movable between the axes of the follower and the cam member past a line traversing the said a-Xes, andmeans4 for biasing the switch member toward the cam member,

an operating member having lost-motion' connection to the cam member and movable to open and to closed vpositions and a spring for yieldingly retaining the operating member in either of the said positions.

3. Switch mechanism comprising a Switch .member pivoted for rotary movement, a cam memberpivoted adjacent the switch member for actuating the switch member and having a contact portion engaging the switch member movable between the axes of the cam member and the switch member past a line traversing the said axes, means for biasing the' switch member toward the cam member, an operating member having lost-motion connection to the cam member and movable to open and to closed positions and a spring for yieldingly retaining the.

operating member in either of the said positions. I

4. Switch mechanism comprislng a switch member pivoted for rotary movement, a cam i member pivoted adjacent the switchA member for actuating the switch member' and having a contact portion engaging the switch member movable between the axes of thel cam men'riber andthe switch member past a iine. traversing the said axes, means for biasing the switch member toward the Icam member, means on thecam member cci tions.

5. Switch mechanism comprising a switch 'member pivoted for rotary movement, a cam member pivoted adjacent the switch member for actuating the switch member and having a contact portion engaging the switchl member movable between the axes of the cam member and the switch member past a line traversing the said axes, means for biasing the switch member toward the cam member, an operating member for the cam having a lost-motion connection to the cam member and movable to open and to closed positions -and a spring for yieldingly retainingthe sitions. l

6. Switch mechanism comprising a switch member pivoted for rotary movement, a cam member pivoted adjacent the switch member for actuating the switch member and having a contact portion engaging the switch member movable between the axes of the cam member and the switch member past a line traversing the said axes, means for biasing the switch member toward the cam member, an operating men'iber for the cani having a 10st-motion connection to the cam member and means for yieldingly reoperating member in either of the said po- -taining-the operating member in either o its limits of movement.

In testimony whereof, I haveheieunto` subscribed my name this third HUBERT K. KRANTZ. 

